Given Roman Abramovich’s wealth and cavalier approach to managerial matters,
it is appropriate that Chelsea are facing a situation familiar to any
high-rolling gambler on a losing streak: the stakes are getting higher with
every hand. It is not quite win or bust, but that all-or-nothing scenario in
which the house invariably takes the lot does not feel too far away.

Ignoring the prospect of another FA Cup triumph at Wembley, which did not
motivate Abramovich to invest almost £1 billion into his favourite sporting
plaything, Chelsea have two means of salvaging their season. Both appear
rather remote. Under the